Roughstuff "Anyway, to get back to the Coast Route: It is tough in many places where the road is narrow, and if you are going south, there is not much of verge in places before ya have huge drop to the ocean. I actually enjoyed the part where the road heads inland in northern California: much less fog, much less wind, far more forest to camp in overnight."
Hey man- do you mean the section just past Eureka and thru Humboldt etc for this? Speaking of wild camping etc, what's the situation on that in the US (And for this route in general)? Is it safe and legal etc?

djb I've just posted this question on the UK Cycling Forums mate- will keep you posted here on answers.

Sure, you should get more appropriate suggestions from other Brits

Hello there. I am familiar with the Pacific Coast route, specifically northern and central California. I ride the section between Eureka and San Francisco about once a season, and south to Big Sur when it's open. For the Pacific Coast route in general (WA, OR, and CA), there are plenty of inexpensive (US$5-$10/night) and safe campgrounds with hiker-biker campsites and showers, so there really is no need to wild camp along this route. Generally for the US, you may do "dispersed camping" in most of the National Forest land, but it is frowned-upon or illegal in National Parks, State Parks, and especially on private land, where you could be asked to leave immediately, or worse. Many State Parks, especially in the west, have hiker-biker sites, and some of the National Parks do as well (Yellowstone). If looking to utilize dispersed camping where the route goes thru a National Forest, you should investigate if there are any off-limits areas. Otherwise, people doing a cross-country trip have reported using churches, fire stations, town squares, etc. for an overnight stay, but always ask permission first. This strategy and wild camping are not needed along the Pacific Coast (except in southern California where warmshowers is a good option). Happy to share specifics on the Pacific Coast route if you are coming out this way!

Are you still intending to take this trip? I have similar time frames and looking for a group.

Hi man- I am still doing this route aye but have been planning it as a solo trip for nearly a year now. Thanks for your offer anyway and good luck..!

Sorry I took so long to answer---other folks have given good answers already. I personally love camping when/where/how I want, so when I'm riding in national forest I camp wherever I find a good spot late in the afternoon. Ten feet in the woods and I'm out of sight in many places. I save the 5-7 dollars for a nice cup of coffee and a pastry the next morning. I'll do the hiker/biker thing when I feel like it, too. But I had no problem from the border with Oregon all the way to Leggett, thought there some marshy spots I avoid. Riding right on the coast is nice, but I detest the constant wind and frequent all morning fogs, especially when you can see clear blue sky just a few miles away to the east.

For a lot of the Pacific Coast route, camping in a non-sanctioned (aka illegal) campsite isn't a great idea. Most of the official ones have very affordable hiker/biker sites and facilities.

The political climate here is much more unforgiving than it was when you started this thread.

Thanks for the infos and insights guys. It's getting close now and I've had to deal with a LOT of bad RL stuff so it derailed me for a bit but I'm back on the game. Currently sent about 8 emails off to various hotels in Vancouver to see if they allow a bicycle in the room (Also I'll basically need to unbox it in the room and reassemble).
Does anyone know of any hotels there that would allow that at all?

mesh, I certainly can't give an answer to specific Vancouver hotels, but in my experience with a lot of low to mid quality hotels in Canada, the U.S, numerous countries in Europe etc, it has been the exception when I've been specifically told it is not allowed. Numerous times, I have also been able to talk my way into letting places let me bring my bike in.
I suspect that how one presents oneself to the staff can be a factor, ie responsible looking, not arriving with a filthy muddy, greasy looking bike (not your case I realize with it boxed).
I've even had no problems at a Premiere Inn near Glasgow with bringing my bike to the room, if that gives you a familiar reference.
Obviously, be very conscientious and respectful and keep the drivetrain side against the wall, so away from bed, towels etc, and be careful the bike doesnt fall over and leave a mark on the wall--pretty much common sense stuff.

I don't know the specifics in Vancouver and times I stayed there are long enough ago that I've forgotten specific places.

However, more generally my experience has been almost every motel in US and Canada has allowed it. For example, in 2023 I took a six month trip through the US and was in a motel most nights. There was exactly one motel that didn't want my bike in the room. I turned it into problem-solving mode... namely since the bike was so important to my journey what alternatives could we devise? In this particular case, their alternative (storage shed but nobody to retrieve it until after 9am) was not acceptable and we then went to plan B where they gave me a recommendation of a different place to try.

In my other touring in US and Canada, I think I can count on two hands the times I couldn't bring bike in the room. In half those cases we were able to figure out an alternative. For example, there was a old lodge on the Alaska highway where the rooms were simply too small but it was OK to put it in the boiler room. Where you are traveling bike tourists are common so I'll be surprised if you encounter any situation on your trip where it isn't allowed.

I have always assembled and disassembled my bike outside. I will often store it inside if allowed, but I envision too many opportunities for something to go wrong if I am doing mechanic work on (presumably) clean carpeting. But, I am talking about a bike with S&S couplers, (frame split in half) where I had to remove water bottle cages, racks, crankarms, fork, etc. to pack it. If you are simply taking a bike out of a box, putting on the pedals and wheels, that is less likely to be a problem in a motel room.

I think it was the Motel 6 in Eureka CA that refused to let us bring our bikes indoors. We locked up our bikes in the bushes directly outside the window to the front office.

If you bring a utility knife so you can cut up the box afterwards, that would aid in disposal. Some communities have waste disposal systems that don't handle large boxes.

Alright again guys.
I'm currently setting up the Garmin Edge Explore 2.
I've used the Komoot app to plan the Routes.
Now- I just have to decide how to best navigate the routes out on the road- is it better to use the actual Garmin software or use the Komoot app on the Garmin? I hope this makes sense..!

Here is what I've done...
1. I will use an outside app, RideWithGPS or Komoot to create my route.
2. I then do some form of "send to garmin" type command.
3. I use Garmin Connect to synchronize the GPS and the device (and also retrieve the resulting activity)
That works well enough for me.

I think people can have different preferences, but where I've found my preferences...
1. On the PC, I've mostly done RideWithGPS including the heat maps to draw routes, that works as well as anything.
2. On my phone, I prefer Komoot if I need to create/re-create a trip on the fly. It has those different modes (e.g. road cycling, general cycling, mountain biking) that seem to pick default routes that work better for me than RWGPS or otherwise
3. Garmin Connect seems to be a good overall connecting point - and also synchronizes with Strava, which I've let results get posted
4. I *avoid* using the on-the-fly route finding my Garmin has built in. Sometimes I'll get there in a short distance if I've missed a turn but otherwise it seems to be worse than other choices.
5. I keep an offline map (e.g. maps.me, osmond or in my case organic maps) so I can make some quick map checks when I am outside cell service or sometimes just as convenient
6. I will also occasionally check Google Maps when I have service - generally better than my offline maps but I prefer Komoot if I have to do any routing on the phone and RWGPS if I do routing on the PC
7. I like paper maps to spread out on a picnic table and get an overview.

In any case, I find I use a mix of tools for both online/offline, PC/phone, device/non-device navigation - this also lets me try and change different methods as I go along. For example, I found some seem to work better in populated areas and others in more spread out places so I'll try and mix/match them. But in any case, Garmin Connect works well enough to synchronize my Garmin device and my phone or apps.

Hi- thanks for all that advice, appreciated..!
in a nutshell though, am I correct in the thought that I sort of have to decide wether to navigate using either the Komoot App on the Garmin or simply navigate using the Garmins own software so to speak?
if so- which is more recommended/better please?

A quick comment on Komoot. It has occasionally given me strange routing that adds way too much distance. When that happens I add a point to my routing that is somewhere logical between my starting and ending points so that I am forcing the routing to pass through that point, that usually fixes it.

My Garmin is an non-cycling version, so I can't answer any of your questions specific to the GPS, but Mev has done this a lot so he knows what he is talking about.

I prefer Komoot's choice of routing to what the Garmin picks - so my suggestion is to use that.

In practice, you'll probably end up with the Garmin's routing by accident a few times when...
- you accidentally miss a turn
- road construction or other closure prevents you from the route
In those cases, the Garmin software routing will kick in and try to get you back on route - depending on how much you either like that or are frustrated with it will have you form your own opinions as well.

I'm DLing the free install North America Map using Garmin Express.
Is there a "better' cycling version that you have to pay for aswell or is it the same thing please?

Paid US Map

From what I've read the free maps are more than sufficient, esp for a simple road trip- and the paid ones have all sorts of additional Data that I just won't need?


This entire process is one of the most confusing I've ever taken part in lol.
I've already used Komoot and have got the Routes saved.
Now all's I need to do is get the US Map, or PAID US Map on my Garmin- then get the Route Files onto it too.
Then- DECIDE which software I'll use to Navigate- is that correct?
So I can choose to use Komoots Maps and Navi or Garmins?

You only need the free one.
As I mentioned a long time ago in questions about gps and my Garmin explore 2, two years ago when I went to Scotland, when I downloaded the western Europe or whatever it was Garmin free download, it said insufficient space, and I had to delete the existing North American stuff first---because of this I only did this closer to when I left so I could keep using my Garmin in Canada.
Unless I'm mistaken, or was mistaken at the time, you you most likely will encounter the same thing.
Let us know.
I actually forget when you are leaving, but it's very much in your best interests to keep using this GPS as much as possible to learn all the ins and outs

HI mate- aye, you did mention that actually..!
Yeah, currently got the UK and North America on it- I'll do a few rides here when it comes back from the servicing and then del the UK and replace with Canada=- although I've only got a days cycling from VC to the Border so might not even need it..!

As I don't have the option "Send To Device" from Komoot to Edge Explore 2 I'll export the GPX Files for the 5 Route sections.
That's next...

I forgot what connection I made, but when I click on "navigate on Garmin" in Komoot


It show up in Garmin Connect under Training And Planning - Courses and I synchronize with my device from there.

Since I've got similar connections set up with other apps like RWGPS, I'm using Garmin Connect rather than directly loading gpx files.

Ah- I’ve just dragged and dropped the exported GPX files from Komoot (£30 as needed Regionals Unlocked to do this).
Put them into the Garmins “New Files” folder and success..!
i now have the Garmin Map
of America and have the Routes for PCBR
so as far as I can tell am more or less done..!
I have also added a few local UK Routes so will make sure to do practice runs.
on the attached screenshots-
could someone explain what that pink line is that separates off from the Route/Highway blue line pls?
Thanks so much for your continued help with this..!


Pcbr routes

Pink line

Pink line

Looks like Freeway, no bikes.

Thought as much but thanks for clarifying it..!
I had a little worry it might be misalignment regarding the Route line over the Road lines of the map..!

mev Cheers man- just tried that but I need Premium to do that Navigate With Garmin option.
iI don't THINK there's any point if I've now got it working on the Garmin anyway is there?

I can DEFINITELY see that I'll need to use this a fair few times out in the field to really get to know the system- it's absolutely confusing as hell lol

Your method is still fine since it works offline and you needed to transfer maps in any case.

My method of transferring routes relies on an online version of the app so where I have it, I find it convenient.

Even when I have my route all downloaded and installed in advance, I still find myself occasionally tweaking and adjusting things as I go along. Sometimes it is circumstances like road construction or weather. Sometimes I learn something new or decide to do things just a bit differently. So that is when I adjust and update or create a new route segment on the fly.